I just put my LT-40 ARF together in May and it still had rubber bands. I haven't had a landing where they were needed...yet.

GP and others make Z-bend pliars. Still, the Dubro fasteners might be the way to go.

I've tried a few different props on my airplane that were all withing the recommended range (I am running an Magnum XLS 46). Part of the fun is seeing how the airplane performs with each one.

The LT-40 is a great trainer...very forgiving. You might outgrow it quckly, but is a great confidence builder.

I ditched most of the standard decals. You can do a lot to set even an ARF apart from the crowd.